Background

Nonu is known for his blonde-streaked dreadlocks and former penchant for wearing eyeliner on the field. He is equally well-known for his explosiveness and powerful attacking runs and regularly breaks the defensive line at will. All Blacks coach Graham Henry has described him as "probably the best linebreaker in this game in this country."

Nonu has a similar attacking skillset to former All Black centre Tana Umaga. Like Umaga, he is an exceptional crash ball runner who excels at breaking the line and creating space for outside backs. In 2005, Henry described Nonu as "young Tana," by Daryl Fenemor, One Sport website, September 15, 2005, retrieved December 2, 2005. underlining the impression that he was being groomed as a potential successor to Umaga. This comparison has been confirmed in recent times by Wayne Smith.